Specialized sensor-assisted dialysis

Abstract

The invention is a hemodialysis system in which at least one disposable sensor is combined with a dialysis circuit, in combination with an optional transceiver, to provide real-time or near-real-time patient data. Sensors for any or all of blood pressure, conductivity, temperature, oxygenation, sodium levels, calcium levels, phosphorus levels, urea levels, potassium levels, without limitation, may be included in the blood circuit. Preferably, the sensors are MEMS or ISFET sensors and are positioned in the overall system upstream of, or within the upstream portion of, the dialyzer.

1 . A hemodialysis system, comprising: 
 a blood circuit tube having an interior;    a dialyzer in fluid communication with the interior of the blood circuit tube; and    not more than one substantially biochemically inert disposable sensor unit including at least one disposable sensor device in fluid communication with the interior of the blood circuit tube, wherein the at least one disposable sensor device is configured to sense one or more physical or chemical parameters of contents of the blood circuit tube; wherein the not more than one substantial biochemically disposable sensor unit is operatively placed one of: upstream of the dialyzer; or within the dialyzer.    
   
   
       2 . The hemodialysis system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one disposable sensor device is selected from the group consisting of a blood pressure sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, an oxygen sensor, a sodium sensor, a calcium sensor, a potassium sensor, a phosphorus sensor, a pH sensor, and a contaminant sensor.  
   
   
       3 . The hemodialysis system according to  claim 2  wherein the substantially biochemically inert disposable sensor unit is selected from the group consisting of a MEMS (micro electromechanical systems) sensor and an ISFET sensor.  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . The hemodialysis system according to  claim 1  wherein the substantially biochemically inert disposable sensor unit is operatively placed within the dialyzer, and wherein the sensor unit is further positioned in an upstream portion of the dialyzer.  
   
   
       6 . The hemodialysis system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a diverter blood tube including the substantially biochemically inert disposable sensor unit, the diverter blood tube being in fluid communication with the blood circuit tube, and the diverter blood tube configured to receive a discrete portion of the contents of the blood circuit tube, the discrete portion substantially withheld from the dialyzer.  
   
   
       7 . The hemodialysis system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a disposable blood pressure sensor in fluid communication with the blood circuit tube and positioned upstream of the substantially biochemically inert disposable sensor unit.  
   
   
       8 . The hemodialysis system according to  claim 1 , further comprising means, operatively connected to the substantially biochemically inert disposable sensor unit, for transmitting data representative of the one or more physical or chemical parameters by wireless telemetry.  
   
   
       9 . A dialyzer for renal dialysis, comprising a housing and at least one dialysis membrane, wherein the housing has not more than one substantially biochemically inert disposable sensor unit mounted one of: adjacent to and upstream from the housing; or within the housing.  
   
   
       10 . The dialyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein the substantially biochemically inert disposable sensor unit is mounted within the housing.  
   
   
       11 . The hemodialysis system according to  claim 1  wherein the substantially biochemically inert disposable sensor unit is operatively placed upstream of the dialyzer.  
   
   
       12 . The hemodialysis system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one disposable sensor device is configured to take direct measurements of the one or more physical or chemical parameters.  
   
   
       13 . The hemodialysis system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one disposable sensor device is configured to facilitate closed loop controlled operation.